RETINYL PALMITATE
Retinyl palmitate is an ester made by linking retinol with palmitic acid. It therefore belongs to the group of vitamin A derivatives, but it is not the same ingredient as free retinol: the palmitate is its esterified form.
RETINYL PALMITATE: what it is
Retinyl palmitate is an ester made by linking retinol with palmitic acid. It therefore belongs to the group of vitamin A derivatives, but it is not the same ingredient as free retinol: the palmitate is its esterified form.
That distinction matters when comparing labels. Retinol, retinyl acetate and retinyl palmitate are related derivatives, yet they are different names. In retinyl palmitate, the palmitic portion is bound to retinol, which is why it appears under its own INCI name.
RETINYL PALMITATE: what it does in cosmetics
In cosmetics, retinyl palmitate is used for skin conditioning. In everyday terms, that means it can support a formula intended to leave the skin looking and feeling more pleasant, alongside the other ingredients in the product.
Its presence should not be read as a promise to treat acne, wrinkles, dark spots or any disease. A laboratory study compared nanoemulsions, liposomes and lipid particles carrying retinyl palmitate and measured permeation through human skin outside the body; it examined delivery systems, not a clinical result from using an ordinary cosmetic.
RETINYL PALMITATE: conditions and care
In the European Union, retinyl palmitate has limits expressed as retinol equivalent: 0.05% in body lotion and 0.3% in other leave-on and rinse-off products. Labelling must state that the product contains vitamin A and advise consumers to consider their daily intake before use.
Restrictions and conditions of use
Products containing this ingredient
See which products include it and the name used in each composition.
